From all new NEX lenses this is probably the lens that has the highest probability to become a hotseller. The new [shoplink 8448]Sony 50mm f/1.8[/shoplink]! According to Sonystore (Click here) the lens will be available in mid December. The lens is relatively cheap but the specs are tempting and image quality now proves to be very good. Just look at the latest review posted by ThePictureDesk (Click here): “I shot a fair number of images with the Sony Zeiss 24mm on the NEX7 but it was a bit wide. Once I switched to the Sony E-mount 50mm f1.8 I realized what a great little lens this is. All the press and buzz has been around the Zeiss 24mm. There have been a couple discussions about the 55-210 and a few about the new 50mm. I think the 50mm is one lens most NEX photographers would appreciate.“. You can also see some image samples posted at DC.watch (Click here).

This is definitely a lens to go! Preorders are available at [shoplink 8448] (Click on shop name to check price and availability). To bad it’s not available in black color too. Would look amazing on my current [shoplink 8452]Sony NEX-5n[/shoplink] and future [shoplink 8454]Sony NEX-7[/shoplink]!

And here are all NEX cameras and lens preorder links (Click on shop name to check price and availability):
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

While I am still waiting to see when the first few and lucky SAR readers will get their [shoplink 8454]NEX-7[/shoplink] camera you may take a look what reviewers are writing about it:

There is a new full Sony NEX-7 review at Photoreview (Click here): “Subjective assessments of image files from the review camera show them to be a lot like those from the SLT-A77. This is to be expected since both cameras have the same sensor and image processor chips. The kit lens, which we covered in our review of the NEX-5, is an adequate performer but not in the same class as the Sony DT 16-5 0mm f/2.8 SSM lens, which we used for the SLT-A77 review. Consequently, it’s not surprising to see our Imatest results slightly below those obtained with the A77.”

You heard Sony? We need a pro zoom lens (and of course the pancakes). I hope Sony will soon give us some news about the upcoming new roadmap!

And here is one more preview: Photographyreview (Click here) posted a NEX-7 first impression article.

And here are all NEX cameras and lens preorder links (Click on shop name to check price and availability):
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

Carl Garrarard from Alphamountworld (Click here) posted his final word about the Sony A77. The real problem he has with the new 24 megapixel sensor is that “while there is no doubt that specification will please some photographers greatly, I feel the vast majority would have been happier with 14-18mp where the A77 could have performed better as an overall-do it all kind of camera. I simply think the megapixel race has ended, and there’s only so much resolution one needs on an APS-C DSLR that is practical to use day in and day out for multiple photographic tasks.”

Carl (like me) would have been happy with less Megapixels or with a new pixel binning function that would have added an option to shot with less Megapixels and higher ISO performance when needed.

And than there is that Sony JPEG engine which has to be improved: “First of all I feel way too much noise reduction is being done on the Jpegs at ALL ISO values, which robs detail in every 24mp file you save. Then why have 24 megapixels you ask? Good question. ”

But a part of that the A77 proves to be an excellent camera if you shoot RAW and low ISO: “If you are going to shoot Raw only and don’t mind shooting at ISO 1,600 and under (or just normally don’t) then the A77 is a fine photographic instrument able to reach resolution levels no other APS-C DSLR or DSLT has been able to reach yet. For gigantic color rich prints with lots of dynamic range, the A77 is a fantastic tool“.

Editor’s note: I fully agree with Carl. I can recommend this camera to anyone shooting RAW and low ISO images (like landscapes). And of course if you shoot video than the A77 is almost a must have camera!

And here is the A77 full link list to check where it is in Stock: [shopcountry 8461].

Sony NEX 5N studio test from superiormediagroup on Vimeo.

NEX-5n wonderful Oslo Opera image samples on Flickr.

Sony NEX-5N vs Canon 7D – Part 1 (youtube).

Test à hauts ISO des Raw du NEX-5N développés avec Lightroom 3 (Alpha Numerique).

And Jeroen from FotoVideo.nu wrote me: “After weeks of testing (and some delay) we have finally published our 15 page review of the NEX-5N camera. As I think you are using the camera yourself too, I don’t have to tell you how good it is… ;-) Our conclusion: It’s simply the best systemcamera (CSC) available at this this moment!* And therefore we’ve gave it 4,5/5 stars which equals a Gold award. The 5N is very versatile (rotating touchscreen), offers superior image quality (which blows all other APS-C camera’s away), is fast (10 fps), offers very good video-performance (1080p50) and is very affordable. The only drawback compared to the competition are the relatively large lenses, which feel a bit weird on such a compact camera. And we’d like so see more lenses too, especially pancakes. Lastly, we don’t understand the different position of the on/off-switch, compared to the NEX-C3 and the NEX-7. ;-)
Translated (ENG):  http://translate.google.nl/translate?sl=nl&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=nl&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fnl.fotovideo.nu%2Freviews%2F2340%2Fsony-nex-5n-review
* we haven’t tested the NEX-7 so far (only a pre-production sample)”

The Sony NEX-5n is always in the top 20 of all system cameras at Amazon US (Click here).

To check the NEX-5n price click these links: [shopcountry 8452].

I guess not all of you know that you can use Micro Four Thirds lenses on your NEX camera by using a [shoplink 9898 ebay]m43 to NEX adapter (Click here to see that on eBay)[/shoplink]. During the last weeks I received three different mails from people testing the new [shoplink 9899 ebay]Samyang 7.5mm compact fisheye lens for m43[/shoplink] on NEX cameras:

Mail 1:
“Via adapter , Horizontal Field of View: 185,4 , effective Focal .Lengh: 8,1 m.m
360º virual reality sample 1 @ f:11.:http://www.aragon360grados.byethost24.com/naranjorabadaffc/naranjorabada2.html
360º virual reality sample 2 @ f:11: http://www.aragon360grados.byethost24.com/rabadaordesa/rabadaordesa.html
both: 4 photos + 2.
I send you caps
Cheers.”

Mail 2:
“The new Samyang 7,5/3,5 fisheye lens is the perfect lens for spherical panos on a Nex camera, spherical panos can be done with just 4 photos, to use this lens in a Nex body you need to shave the shade, recalibrate focus and use a m4/3 to Nex adapter, this adapter works better if screwed to the lens mount, a couple of handheld samples, at 200iso http://www.360cities.net/image/palmtrees-at-travalon-elche and 3200iso http://www.360cities.net/image/nex5-samyang-75-test-torrellano-spain”

Mail 3:
“I tested it very fast over NEX with sunshade and this [shoplink 9898 ebay]m43 to NEX adapter on eBay[/shoplink]. With this adapter doesn´t focus at infity   >-(  so my test is at f:22 to get decent focus, my DIY pano head not exactly calibrated.Tried pano with 3 photos but not enough. Ptgui dates:max width x heigh pano pixels:8772 x 4386 (nex 5),focal lengh:7,9 m.m. HFV:166,4
I´ll test lens on m4/3 body to know if de focus failure is about the lens or adapter…
link to panorama 50% quality and one photo:http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q8JCLTJ7
You can follow it here:http://www.panoguide.com/forums/tipsntricks/9644/?page=3”

P.S.: Links to the [shoplink 9899 ebay]Samyang fisheye lens on eBay[/shoplink].

Digitalversus (Click here) posted a full NEX-7 review: “Sony’s new NEX-7 is a very well-designed expert-level camera with a customisable interface, a high-def electronic viewfinder and an excellent build and finish. However, Sony’s NEX lenses aren’t good enough to get the best out of the 24-Megapixel sensor. We also found that noise wasn’t handled quite as well in this model.” Anyway, the reviewer liked the camera that much that he gave her 5 stars out of 5!.

Digitalcamerainfo (Click here) previewed the NEX-7: “Is it worth the hefty price difference compared to the mid-range NEX-5N? We won’t have a definitive answer to that question until we get both cameras and run them through our full review process, but we can say that the NEX-7 does offer quite a bit for the money. Whether Sony can squeeze the best out of such a high-megapixel image sensor remains to be seen, however.”

Steve Huff (Click here) tested the Sony NEX-7 with wide angle Leica lenses. He also compared it with the Ricoh GXR A12.

Sony NEX-7 with Rokkor-M Konica and Contax Lens (SonyAlphaNex).

And here are all NEX cameras and lens preorder links (Click on shopname to check price and availability):
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

For weeks Rob Skeoch from ThePictureDesk (Click here) is heavily testing the [shoplink 8454]Sony NEX-7[/shoplink]. I have some doubt that Rob will ever return the camera to Sony :)
He posted a couple of interesting articles about the NEX-7 and Zeiss ZM combination:

1) Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 18mm ZM (ThePictureDesk). Lens specs and price on [shoplink 9803 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
2) Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 21mm ZM (ThePictureDesk). Lens specs and price on [shoplink 9804 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
3) Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 25mm ZM (ThePictureDesk). Lens specs and price on [shoplink 9805 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
4) Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 28mm ZM (ThePictureDesk). Lens specs and price on [shoplink 9806 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
5) Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 35mm ZM (ThePictureDesk). Lens specs and price on [shoplink 9808 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
6) Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 50mm ZM Sonnar (ThePictureDesk). Lens specs and price on [shoplink 9809 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
7) Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 85mm ZM (ThePictureDesk). Lens specs and price on [shoplink 9810 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

The Zeiss ZM is an amazing fulflrame film system. Sony should take inspiration from the [shoplink 9812 ebay]ZM camera and ZM lenses[/shoplink] for their new fullframe NEX system!